Ramstein set to kick off Military Saves Week

The 86th Airlift Wing is set to host a kickoff event for the 2016 Military Saves Week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Ramstein Officers’ Club.

The 2016 Military Saves Week goes from Feb. 22 to 26. The theme for the week this year is “make saving automatic.”

The Military Saves campaign is the result of a partnership between the Department of Defense and the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America. Its goal is to help service members and their families save money, reduce debt and build wealth.

“The DOD saw there was a gap, a need for leadership to push financial education,” said Kyle Lambert, 86th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center community support coordinator. “We’ve had financial counselors at (Airman & Family Readiness Center), but people weren’t really utilizing their services. So, this is their one time of the year to really focus on finances. It’s really to push financial empowerment.”

The kickoff event is scheduled to have a panel of five personal financial counselors, representing both Army and Air Force, as well as Col. Brandon R. Hileman, 86th AW vice commander.

Additionally, the kickoff event will include chances to win free prizes, an information fair and classes on the thrift savings plan and saving and investing.

It’s important to note that while the PFCs will discuss investing, they will not give actual investment advice.

During the 2016 Military Saves Week, PFCs will teach more than 20 classes on financial education at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 2120, on Ramstein. Classes are open to anyone with base access, including local nationals and contractors.

While scheduled classes will only last until Feb. 26, PFCs will be in the KMC until March 5 to hold financial education outreaches for individuals, units and other groups.

Outreaches will also focus on financial education and are being made available as a way for commanders and other leadership to bring the PFCs to their members who are unable to attend the scheduled classes. Outreaches can be tailored to the needs of the groups, but they are typically 30 to 45 minutes and can be scheduled through the A&FRC.

“My goal is to keep the PFCs as busy as heck,” Lambert said. “I want them going out of here like, ‘Holy crap!’”

To sign up for the classes or schedule a PFC to come to your unit, contact the A&FRC at 480-5100 or 06371-47-5100.

To find out more about the Military Saves campaign, visit www.militarysaves.org.